The ESL Dept. Blog

Sunday, December 4, 2016

Many think the president-elect will deport undocumented students as he threatened during the campaign. For concerned educators, advocates, and immigrants, this upcoming conference at SDSU might prove useful.

Sunday, November 27, 2016

Writing papers might sound like a straightforward task for higher-level students, but this productive activity is actually quite demanding due to the gap between many ESL students' default conversational register and the formal academic register expected of writers. The lack of precise vocabulary is one of the factors contributing to many students writing the way they talk. The ELF workshop this Friday can help to transform a typical student writer into one who is aware of using academic register.

Sunday, November 13, 2016

After 18 months of a long, sometimes ugly political fight, one half of the electorate is elated while the other half is on edge, including many of our immigrant students. Educators have been doing their best to convey a reassurance that things will be Okay.

On Wednesday, our dept. chair, Gary Sosa, composed this text for ESL faculty to choose to use in their classrooms:

Dear students,

We would like to reassure you that Palomar College, the ESL department and all the ESL instructors, staff and tutors will always welcome you to our campus, in our classes, and in our tutoring centers.

Regardless of the future changes in Washington DC, the ESL Department will continue to offer the same schedule of credit and non-credit classes. Our non-credit classes will continue to be tuition-free and open to anyone who wants to learn.

We are your teacher now, tomorrow and always.
On the same day, UC President Napolitano and the Chancellors of all the UC campuses released this statement, which in part reassures everyone that the UC campus continues to be "a diverse and welcoming place for students, faculty, and staff with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives" and that UC leaders "remain absolutely committed to supporting all members of our community and adhering to UC’s Principles Against Intolerance."
Also, on the same day, CSU Chancellor and Cal State Student Association President released this joint statement to reiterate that they are "committed to supporting all members of our community," to express their resolve to "hold our political leaders to account," and to pledge that they will "be leading advocates in advancing the rights of our students, faculty and staff."
On Thursday, California Community Colleges System Office issued this press release to reaffirm the values of inclusiveness and diversity following the presidential election.
On Friday, Palomar president released the following message:

Dear Campus Community:

Now that the presidential election has concluded, the Palomar College community is experiencing, as is the Nation, a myriad of emotions.

Central to the college’s values are the words “equity, diversity, inclusiveness and mutual respect.” I want to ensure everyone that Palomar College is committed to an inclusive, welcoming and safe campus that celebrates diversity and supports all faculty, staff and students.

However vigorous the celebrations or protests, or keen the satisfactions or disappointments, the campus, and its diverse array of faculty, staff and students, will carry on with the task at hand—to increase knowledge and foster success. With that in mind, I urge that we continue to enjoy the freedom of expression, stimulating dialogue and collegiality that a college campus can offer. We will stay true to our vision- Learning for Success!